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More than four months after being severely injured in a near-fatal car accident, Western Baptist student-athlete Mike Geleynse is still thanking God for his recovery. On April 9 while on his way home from to celebrate Easter with his family he was involved in a car crash along I-5 in Washington that he still is unclear about. Mike was hospitalized with serious injuries that included a broken right clavicle, contusions on his left lung, bruising on his left elbow, a scrape on the left side of his head which was the only place he was bleeding externally, and a head injury. "I still don't exactly how it happened," Mike said upon returning to WB. "I don't remember anything, but it's a miracle that I wasn't injured more than I was. I really thank God for his grace and healing." A junior from Bellingham, Wash., and a starting midfielder his previous two seasons at WB, Mike received a medical clearance from his doctor to participate in soccer and returned in August 7 to begin practice with the Warriors as they prepare for their upcoming season. "My reactions are still a little slow, but the practice helps my recovery," he said. Mike knows that the intense prayer for his recovery and to comfort his family from hundreds of people helped him return to WB. Like his family, he is also very thankful for the reaction by his fellow-students to his situation. Immediately following a small group began collecting money on campus for the family. With campus bake sales and collections from donation containers, over $4,400 was raised. "That amazing fund raiser touched me and my family. Plus, all the friends that visited me in the hospital and at home, and everyone's prayers, I couldn't have asked for anything better to help me heal," Mike said. Warrior men's coach Justin Rivard has been impressed with Mike's improvement so far this season and he understands his player's frustrations. "Mike came into camp in August and struggled, but now he's improved physically so much and is winning our running drills," Rivard said. "The mental part-where he realizes his skill level must return to what it once was-that's slower. He knows what he was able do and he sometimes thinks he's back to form, but realizes he still needs more work, and he's worked harder than anyone." While Mike's playing time is less, Rivard's encouraged as he admits that his Warriors wouldn't have won as many games the previous two seasons without Geleynse in the starting lineup. Mike's just happy he is able to play. "I'm so thankful every day to my friends and all my family, and to just be back at WB. God is so good," Geleynse exclaimed! |
